Requests to the Judicial Council make declaratory rulings and decisions. Upon petition, the Judicial Council rules on the constitutionality and legality of actions of the General, Jurisdictional, Central and Annual Conferences. The Judicial Council also rules, upon petition, on decisions made by presiding bishops and on matters advancing on appeal from lower tribunals in matters of church trials. A petition to the Judicial Council may be made by the General Conference, a Jurisdictional, Central, or Annual Conference, the Council of Bishops, or a general agency on issues directly pertaining to them. An individual lay person or minister or a local church may not petition the Judicial Council for a ruling.
Source: A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by Permission.
